Comments on: Is That Chocolate On Your Chest?

By: Open House | ivy league insecurities

Open House | ivy league insecurities — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:52:38 +0000

[...] Anyway, yesterday was our first open house. After yet another speed-cleaning operation, Husband, the girls and I left our place in the capable hands of our wonderful broker and drove to New Jersey to visit our good friends and their new home. While we were tending to backseat vomit volcanoes and touring our new friends’ palatial abode, our broker welcomed scores of strangers into our home. Strangers who then trouped through our space. Seeing our pictures. Seeing our stories. Seeing those terrible stains on our beleaguered white chairs. [...]

By: Vintage Plaid | ivy league insecurities

Vintage Plaid | ivy league insecurities — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:47:29 +0000

[...] get a way with quite a bit with a Mommy stuck behind a camera. So she ran and scaled our infamous chocolate-clad white chairs in her “slippy tights” to get a closer look at Max & Ruby. And, yes, she almost [...]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:19:07 +0000

I struggle with my need to keep the house clean. I struggle with letting it all go. I struggle with caring. I struggle with guilt for not caring. There is no one, right solution. No one approach. No single outcome. Life with kids is lived daily. No, wait. It is lived moment by moment–as you showed us so well in this piece.

And, I so totally would have called Jen about the canola vs. vegetable oil thing. I’ve got no clue in the baking department either, but I can make a mean grilled egg & cheese sandwich. That’s got to count for something.

By: Danielle-Lee

Danielle-Lee — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:56:59 +0000

Do you think domesticity is something innate or learned or somewhere in between?: I think it’s something inbetween the two. I think it’s hard! Especially with kiddos! And I am not the domestic diva who bakes cakes from scratch. I am not the mother who remembers to do all the fun little crafts for each holiday. I am not the mother who makes the cute little gift bags for my girl’s birthday parties. AS much as I would LOVE to be that person, I just can’t seem to do it. Are you able to keep your home clean even when there are young creatures running about? It’s a constantly cleaning process. I am constantly picking stuff up. It’s just not possible to have a perfectly spotless house, unless you don’t live in it! I find that it feels much more comfortable when we actually LIVE in it, ya know?
Is everyone in your household sick at this time of the year?: We take turns, I swear. Right now I’ve got an itchy throat and my girl has a cough, but neither of us are sick. We take lots of vitamins.
I love the birthday cake! It looks super yummy! And I bet Dad loved it!

By: NC

NC — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:30:35 +0000

I am so touched by this post. It’s really heartwarming. I am not yet a mom, nor am I married so I have no idea how you must feel but I’ve been an elementary school teacher, rented a room from a family with young kids, and am a self-professed neat freak. God knows how unpredictable life with kids can be and how much I’ve had to let go of my controlling tendencies working with young kids. Definitely a perspective check, you know? I can definitely see the value in your trying (and kudos to you!) and pondering whether domesticity is nature vs. nurture. I don’t have an answer for you except that I constantly wonder myself. But I’d say no matter what you’re doing, it counts as long as you’re trying. And it sounds like your hubby appreciates that.

By: Jess

Jess — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:16:26 +0000

I think neatness is innate but domesticity is learned. Sounds like your girls had a super fun day, that is way more important than a clean house! There will be plenty of time for rigidity and order in their lives soon enough. If they can count on home being a haven of fun where they can be themselves then they are truly lucky. I think the cake came out great !

By: Indigo

Indigo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:36:51 +0000

I worked a full time job when my daughter was little and I was determined to spend whatever available time I had with her. Having said that, it came down to choices and what was more important – a clean house or an extra hour or two of romping around the house with her. Naturally as most mother’s including you do, I chose her.

I can honestly say with a now 21year old who is hard put to track down for long in her busy schedule, kids grow up way too fast. There will be plenty of time for a clean house and learning any kind of domestic bliss later on in life. Enjoy these moments.

As hectic as the day may of seemed. I smiled at the busy pace and love filled moments. I thought the cake was absolutely perfect. (Hugs)Indigo

By: Nicki

Nicki — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:17:13 +0000

We happen to be healthy at the moment. With Christmas just around the corner, someone is bound to get sick soon.

I love to cook and bake. Put me in the kitchen all day – like this past Wednesday – and I am happy as a clam. Unfortunately, cleaning is not on my list. My house always looks like a bomb went off.

By: Debra L. Schubert

Debra L. Schubert — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:05:18 +0000

All I have to say is, white furniture, Aidan? With little ones? Seriously? Wow. That’s incredibly brave. And, I love your little slices of both cake and life. They’re delicious and always leave me wanting more.

PS: I hope you and little one feels better soon!

By: Niki

Niki — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:49:50 +0000

I know what you mean. I have a hard time thinking that the middle ground is okay and that even if I’m not doing something at an all or nothing speed, I’m still doing pretty good!